Any nurses out there?

Question

I am 42 years old and just graduated with my RN. I have never worked in the health field before and recently took a job on a very busy med/surg floor in a hospital. Two months have past and I don't feel like I am able to handle the amount of responsibility the job entails. I also feel that the other nurses are losing their patience with me and feel that I should be able to handle more than I am and that they are becoming unwilling to help when I need assistance. I do not want to give up but my gut feeling is that I will never be able to do this particular job well. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

While I have never been a nurse I can tell you about the nurses I know and their experience.

My first wife....married to her for 37 years....started young. Did not have a degree, back then you didn't need one, but begin working in labor/delivery. Before she knew it she was charge nurse. Almost right out of school.

This was very stressful for her as it is for you and the responsibility overwhelmed her. After about 8 years of this she came home one night crying. She could not do this anymore. Being in charge of recovery and the floor was too much. While the work was not a problem the constant thought of giving the wrong medication was always with her.

This was back in the 1960's and even then hospitals were downsizing the staff to continue to make money. Less people to do more work. You know all about that.

I think she may have been okay if at that point she moved to another area and not been in charge but who can do that.

My second wife, a charge nurse almost all of her career soon found that the changes she had to acclimate herself to were considerable. Having diabetes she developed a loss of vision.
She had no trouble with the patents but the charting all moved to computer so she could not see well enough to do that quickly.

My mother was a nurse. Dropped out when she married my father but, as with all things in life, they divorced in their later years and she had to go back to work. She was in her 50's so you can see her options were limited. She worked for a doctor, in his office, and did the insurance billing. That was a hugh learning curve but it went well for her.

Now if you made it this far all I can say is it would seem to me that waiting until your age to get into this field put you at a disadvantage. As you know hospitals seem to charge more and more but are still unable to make the profits they want.
So the staff pays the price.

Could you move to a different position. One not so demanding.
While hard to do could you move to a doctor's office? Your lack of experience may hurt but your age and personality may make all the difference.

My sister had all the same problems years ago and move to occupational health and was a nurse at one of the local factories here for many years. Would that move be possible?

Your experience is not unique. As hard as it is please be aware it is happening every where and not to people just entering the field. Begin a job search again. Look at other hospitals and do not over look occupational health. It has it’s own challenges but you may not have to compare yourself with everyone like your are now.

Best of luck to you. You may have guessed I love Nurses.

Answer 2

I've been a nurse for 3 years and still feel overwhelmed at times! It does take time to get used to not being a student anymore. Let your superior know your feelings - you don't want to be given a work load you can't handle - its not safe. Maybe you just need a bit of extra training or help for a while. Stuff that I find helps me: always carry around a clip board to write stuff down - its easy to forget a request when you are busy. Before you start your day, see what meds/procedures your pts need and plan out what you will do when. Don't be afraid to ask for help - and offer help too. Keep current on procedures, meds etc. Its easy to forget stuff when you aren't studying for an exam. I have RN Notes - available at Barnes and Noble - it has very useful info and can fit in your pocket. I also have a PDA with some medical programs downloaded on it. Finally, realise that med surg is not for everyone - you may be better suited in a different nursing field?

Answer 3

In the times we live people are often absorbed with them selves in the work place and don't try to help their fellow worker. Go to your nursing supervisor and let her/him know how you feel, perhaps they will have some good pointers:
My wife is a nurse; when she gets up I'll have her ad details to my comment that might help better. Best wishes.

Answer 4

Make an appointment with your boss nurse and discuss what you told us. I think you are very conscientous and want to do your best, but maybe something simple is needed - techniques, approach, something.

Good Luck